Joe Lhota Resigns as MTA Chairman

Joe Lhota resigned as chairman of the MTA effective immediately, this past November. Fernando Ferrer stepped into the role of acting chairman. The departure came just a month after Lhota said he would serve through 2021.

The MTA has had six chairmen over the past dozen years, including two stints by Lhota. This instability in leadership is considered one of the struggling agency’s many problems.

In a statement, Lhota said he took the chairman’s job last year at the behest of Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the “sole purpose” of halting the system’s declining service. He helped secure $800 million in emergency funding and appointed a new executive team led by Andy Byford. His decision to leave came three days after Gov. Cuomo was elected to a third term. More turnover in the administration is expected.